The AbbVie Foundation and MATTER announce 2026 Health Equity Accelerator grant recipient

Six nonprofits presented innovative, community-led approaches to expand access to care at the 2026 program’s final showcase event.

CHICAGO — The AbbVie Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to drive transformative change in communities worldwide so everyone can live their healthiest life, in partnership with MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, is pleased to announce Grassroots Health as the recipient of a $50,000 grant following the final showcase of the 2026 AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator.

Grassroots Health advances health equity by embedding games-based health education in Title I middle schools and training NCAA student-athletes to serve as health educators and role models. The grant will support the organization as it prepares to bring its model to more schools and communities.

Now in its second year, the Accelerator supports nonprofits with community-led solutions that expand access to care across the United States and its territories. Through the 10-week program, the six organizations in the 2026 AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator cohort received mentorship and resources to refine their solutions and strengthen their plans for scale. Each nonprofit also received a $10,000 stipend in recognition of the time and expertise they contributed to the program.

The 2026 program culminated in a final showcase on Aug. 5, 2026, in Chicago, where each participating nonprofit presented their innovative solutions, highlighted the progress they made through the Accelerator and outlined plans to scale their work to more communities.

“The AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator is designed to help turn bold, community-led ideas into scalable solutions that address the root causes of health disparities and improve health outcomes,” said Keya Milla, president of the AbbVie Foundation. “This program reflects the AbbVie Foundation’s commitment to removing systemic barriers, increasing access to care and supporting innovative ideas that drive meaningful impact. We are deeply grateful to the participating organizations for their leadership in and dedication to advancing health equity in the communities they serve.”

Bringing health education into the school day

Schools are a critical setting for building health literacy, but many need additional support to prioritize comprehensive health and physical education. Grassroots Health, a nonprofit based in Washington, DC, addresses that need by embedding comprehensive health education in Title I middle schools, meeting students in a place they already spend their time. Trained NCAA student-athletes serve as near-peer mentors and guide students through interactive lessons covering nutrition, sexual health and mental wellness literacy.

At the final showcase, executive director Jane Wallis described the model as a prevention strategy that connects healthcare, education and other social systems.

“Young people begin making decisions about their health long before they enter a clinic or hospital,” Wallis said. “This grant will help us bring that model to more schools while preserving the community relationships that make it work.”

The organization proposed using the $50,000 grant as a catalytic investment to scale a self-sustaining national model. Its plan begins with three to five pilot schools testing the model in 2026, followed by additional contracted schools using its full menu of services. A train-the-trainer approach would help more communities deliver the program while maintaining its standards and interactive format.

Advancing community-led approaches to expand care

Each of the solutions presented by the 2026 AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator cohort underscored a shared principle: access expands when care and health information are embedded in the places and relationships communities already know and trust. Through initiatives in schools, neighborhood stores, community screening events, clinics and advocacy networks, the cohort demonstrated how locally informed models can address barriers that conventional systems often overlook.

Alongside Grassroots Health, the other cohort members presented their innovative solutions rooted in the trusted institutions, relationships and resources within their communities:

• Black Heart Association presented Deployed Hearts, a mobile cardiovascular screening model supported by an app that coordinates healthcare workers, community events and referrals.

• The Community Grocer shared its vision for turning the neighborhood corner store into a center of care. Its model combines SNAP-eligible access to nutritious food, a hot meal exchange, food preparation, workforce development and healthcare partnerships.

• Health Justice Initiative proposed launching a Health Rights Advocate Academy to train local advocates who can help residents navigate medical, legal and bureaucratic barriers.

• MedCycle Network presented an AI-enabled circular supply chain that connects a hospital supply portal with real-time demand from safety-net clinics. The model redirects usable medical surplus to clinics that need it, reducing waste and helping providers serve more people.

• SPEAK presented its Community Wellness Network, which prepares behavioral health experts to train first-line providers serving Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities.

About Grassroots Health

Grassroots Health advances health equity in cities by using sports to reimagine health education in middle schools and mobilizing NCAA athletes as health educators and role models for youth. Its games-based programs cover nutrition, sexual health and mental wellness and connect students and families with health services. Learn more at grassrootshealth.us.

About the AbbVie Foundation

The AbbVie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to driving transformative change in communities worldwide and advancing health equity so that every individual can realize their full potential.

About MATTER

At MATTER, we believe collaboration is the best way to improve healthcare. The MATTER collaborative includes more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together we are accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.